Chapter 39: The Betrayal in the Walls

Mrs. Ward stood frozen in the center of the room, tears gathering in her eyes, her hands trembling so violently Lena could see it from across the floor.

The steel shutters kept the outside silent — but inside the estate, tension echoed like thunder.

Victoria leaned back weakly against the wall, blood dripping down her arm, her voice sharp despite the pain:

“Go on, Mrs. Ward. Tell them.”

Alexander stepped forward slowly.

Softly.

Like he was approaching someone he still wanted to believe in.

“Mrs. Ward,” he said quietly, “did you open the gate?”

Mrs. Ward swallowed hard. “Alexander… I didn’t—”

“Did you disable the cameras on the east side?”

Her lips parted, no sound coming out.

Victoria laughed softly. “She doesn’t need to answer. You already know.”

Alexander turned his head sharply, glare like fire. “Shut up.”

But Victoria only smirked.

Lena watched Mrs. Ward’s trembling form, confusion knotting her heart. She had felt safe around this woman. Protected. Mrs. Ward had been gentle. Warm. Loyal.

Hadn’t she?

Mrs. Ward’s voice finally cracked through the tension.

Broken. Raw.

“Alexander… please. Let me explain.”

Alexander’s eyes softened in pain — but not enough to hide the storm underneath.

“Then explain,” he whispered. “Now.”

Mrs. Ward lifted a hand to her chest, shakily pressing it over her heart.

“I didn’t betray you,” she said. “I swear on my life.”

Victoria rolled her eyes. “Then how did the hunter know she was here?”

Mrs. Ward glared at her. “Because you weren’t careful, Victoria! You were followed long before you reached the estate.”

Victoria scoffed, but a flicker of doubt crossed her face.

Mrs. Ward continued, “I saw movement on the perimeter hours before Lena and Alexander returned. I thought it was just wildlife. I was wrong. But I did NOT let anyone in.”

Alexander took a step closer. “Then why did the gate open?”

Mrs. Ward hesitated.

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

And that hesitation was enough to make Alexander’s jaw clench.

“Mrs. Ward…” he said softly. “What did you do?”

She shook her head desperately. “I—I didn’t mean to! I never would’ve put you in danger!”

Victoria chuckled darkly. “Here comes the confession.”

Mrs. Ward rounded on her. “Shut your mouth, Victoria!”

Alexander stepped between them, voice tight. “Tell me what happened.”

Mrs. Ward took a broken breath.

“I’ve been… talking to someone,” she whispered.

Alexander’s face fell.

“Who?”

His voice broke on the word.

Mrs. Ward trembled. “I didn’t think it was dangerous. I swear, Alex. I thought I was helping.”

Alexander’s eyes burned, but he kept his voice steady. “Helping who?”

Mrs. Ward closed her eyes.

“Your brother.”

The room froze.

Lena’s breath caught. “Brother?”

Alexander’s heart stopped.

“My… what?”

Mrs. Ward sobbed harder. “Yes. He’s alive, Alexander. Your father sent him away before he died — to protect him. He’s been reaching out to me for months.”

Alexander looked as if the floor had been ripped out from under him.

“My brother is dead,” he said, voice hollow. “He died with my mother.”

Mrs. Ward shook her head frantically. “No. That’s what your father told you. To keep you focused. But your brother—Marcus Hale’s real target—was hidden. And he contacted me.”

Alexander staggered back, as if hit. “No. No, that’s impossible.”

Victoria laughed bitterly. “Oh, it’s possible. Very possible.”

Lena stared at them both in shock.

“You have a brother?”

Alexander raked a shaking hand through his hair. “If he exists… why contact you? Why not me?”

Mrs. Ward sobbed. “Because he was afraid. Because he knew you’d run straight toward danger. He asked me to keep you safe. To keep this house safe.”

Lena whispered, “So he asked you to watch the estate?”

Mrs. Ward nodded. “Yes. And he said he needed access to the security system — not to hurt you, Alexander, but to protect your family.”

Victoria barked out a laugh. “And you believed that?”

Mrs. Ward’s face crumpled. “He told me he had proof that someone inside Knight Enterprises wanted the Split Circle revived. That they wanted control of your father’s empire.”

Alexander stared at her, eyes filling with heartbreak. “Mrs. Ward… why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because,” she whispered, voice cracking, “I didn’t know who to trust anymore.”

Victoria smirked. “Except the wrong person.”

Alexander turned sharply. “Enough from you.”

He faced Mrs. Ward again.

Pain swimming in his gaze.

“So you gave him access,” he said quietly. “And he opened the gate.”

Mrs. Ward cried harder. “Alex, he told me he was coming to warn you! I didn’t know he’d bring a hunter with him. I didn’t know he was aligned with them!”

Victoria wiped blood from her hands, sneering. “He didn’t bring the hunter. He is the hunter.”

Lena’s heart lurched.

Alexander froze. “No.”

Victoria nodded slowly, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.

“Oh yes. Your brother isn’t hiding from the Circle.”

She pointed to the shattered window.

“He’s working for them.”

Lena felt the air leave the room.

Mrs. Ward collapsed to her knees. “No… no, that can’t be true…”

Alexander stared at the glass — at the forest beyond — shock and devastation etched into his features.

“My brother…” he whispered.

A tremor ran through him.

“…is alive.”

Victoria leaned back, breath shallow but expression triumphant.

“And he wants Lena.”

Lena choked on her breath.

“Me? Why?”

Victoria’s smile returned — cold and cruel.

“Because your mother hid the file in the necklace. And the Circle believes only you know how to unlock it.”

Alexander stepped protectively in front of her. “Over my dead body.”

Victoria’s eyes glittered.

“That,” she whispered,

“is exactly what your brother is counting on.”